MANILA, Philippines -- Kiefer Ravena wanted to take on the challenge and knew he would deliver.
The flamboyant guard dubbed as “The Phenom” knocked down the clutch, go-ahead jumper to lift Ateneo to a 63-61 win over UST at the Smart Araneta Colisuem on Wednesday.
"I just wanted to really get the play done, sabi ko isho-shoot ko talaga," said Ravena after the game.
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Ravena credited his coaches for designing the play and shared that they play out those kinds of situation in practice to prepare them. And they pulled one of their tricks out of their hats on Wednesday.
"Thanks to coach Ronnie kasi yung ganung play pina-practive namin yun to prepare myself physically and at the same time yung mental aspect ng laro lalo na pag ganun kasi pagod na kami lahat I just have to rise above it," said Ravena.
"I just wanted to take on the challenge," he added.
The former Rookie of the Year awardee is happy that they are facing tough games this early in the season to help his young team gain more experience for bigger battles down the road.
"Yung mga ganito, all the grind it out games gives everyone a chance experience this it will make us mentally stronger. Yung mga games na ganito everything is for growth especially for a young team like us," he shared.
Despite their terrific start to the season, notching their fifth win in six games to tie NU at the top of the standings, Ravena is wary for the challenges ahead for the Blue Eagles.
"We can't be complacent and feel good we're 5-1 we're not sure of the final four slot. We want to get that twice to beat advantage because every team can beat anybody and getting that is very important for us," said Ravena.
"But we are very thankful to be in this situation compared to last year we were one of the bottom dwellers hopefully we can maintain it," he ended.